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WEST NILE VIRUS RESOURCES |
Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus
POSTED: 5:31 pm EDT July 11,
2006
UPDATED: 8:03 pm EDT July 11,
2006
WEST HAVEN, Conn. -- The first mosquitoes of the season have tested positive for West Nile virus.Eyewitness News reported the infected mosquitoes were trapped in West Haven on June 29.The insects were trapped as part of a state program that monitors and manages the mosquito population in Connecticut. The positive findings were in common species of mosquitoes thought to be responsible for spreading the virus.Health officials said the mosquito population is particularly high at this time because of wet spring conditions. Connecticut health officials have not received reports of human cases of the virus this year.Last year, mosquitoes trapped in Stamford became the first in the state to test positive for the virus. Five people were infected with the virus in Connecticut last year, resulting in one death. It was the second human death since the virus was first found in the state in 1999.The risk for acquiring the virus peaks in August and September, but health officials are urging residents to take precautions now.Health officials said people, especially those over 50 years old, should take steps to avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing long sleeves and pants and using bug spray.Stay with WFSB.com and Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest news updates.
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Copyright 2006 by WFSB.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.
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